New Years 2016

We decided to be brave and start 2016 with a road trip. We went down to visit my family in Salt Lake. My brother Jeff was in town with his girlfriend Kim and we wanted to have Harvey meet them and other family members. Kim is adorable and both Kate and Harvey love her. We had a great time meeting up with family and introducing them to Harvey. Harvey was 6 weeks old when these pictures were taken! Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Jeff, Kim and Harvey
12/31/15

Scott and Harvey
12/31/15

Kate and Diesel
It is no secret that Kate loves Diesel, and sweet Diesel seems to not mind all the love

Watching deer while eating cereal in the morning at Nonna and Papa's

My brother from another mother aka Victor who lived with us 2001-2002 as an exchange student from Brazil was in town and I got to meet up with him. I had to apologize to him for how horrible I treated him. I treated him like a sibling which meant, I picked on him and I ignored him too. Luckily he has forgiven me.

Victor and I

Jane, Collette, Harvey and Richards baby #4 ( we are very excited to meet this little addition in April)

Harvey got to meet his cousin Millie Mae for the first time. These two are 2 months apart in age. Just like Kate and Phin. It is fun to have kids at the same time as my sister Suzanne. And it is fun to have a built in best friend for them. 

 My Nephew Ben turned 8 in December and chose to become one of the newest members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are very proud of him for his decision to be baptized. He looked so handsome on his special day.

Ben on his big day! Isn't it great to be 8!

I've always thought that Harvey looks like my brother Bart. Seriously what do you think?

While we were in town I got to meet up with my good friend Rachel. We worked together at the GAP for years and years, and she was one of my bridesmaids. 

Harvey got to meet his Great Grandma Doris Preston

Christmas 2015

Christmas 2015 was a special one for our little family. I did not want to travel with a newborn during the holidays so we opted to stay in Chubbuck and start our own traditions. We talked to Kate about Christmas and she learned about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas, but she also caught on to the idea of Santa very quickly. Christmas Eve we had pizza and watched a movie together on the Love-Sack. When it was time for bed this girl was way too excited to sleep. Our power also went out right before bed time when she was helping Joe wrap my present. We had to pull out flashlights which I think energized her more. She was so excited and curious that she didn't fall asleep until 1030. Harvey must have sensed her excitement and he wouldn't go to sleep either. 

Christmas morning arrived and Kate woke up early and was ready to open presents. We thought we had a few more years of sleeping in on Christmas but boy we were wrong. 

Santa brought each of the kids one gift, he brought them each a horse on a stick thing.

Kate is obsessed with Disney princesses right now. She has known all of them by name since before she was 2 years old, so naturally this little girl needed a princess backpack.

Santa pancakes

 We bought a trampoline for our family at the beginning of Novemember, Kate was with us when we bought it and she knew that she had to wait until Christmas to get to jump on it. When she was little we use to pass her over the fence to our neighbors who had a trampoline. This little girl was very excited to get one. Oh did I mention that we set it up in our garage. We have an extra deep 3rd car garage that we don't us except to store some things, and thought it would be a great place to keep the trampoline in the winter. This winter has been so cold here in Idaho, and some days it is too cold to jump even bundled up in our snow clothes. It has been a fabulous gift for our family to enjoy.

Joe was a trooper and started setting it up Christmas Eve after the kids were asleep. I love that on the box it said "Some assembly required" They were not joking, he stayed awake for the next 4+ hours getting it to the point where Kate would be able to jump on it in the morning. Tom and John came over Christmas afternoon and helped put the netting on it. We have learned that the 3 most dreaded words for a parent to hear on Christmas Eve is "some assembly required"

Johns parents and siblings came over Christmas day. Kate loved having someone to jump with. She literally jumped all day. When one adult was tired they would switch out another adult who would go jump with Kate. Kate said some pretty great things that day. At night she told me that jumping was hard, and that jumping made her legs tired. She slept very peacefully that night so the trampoline did its job of wearing her out.

trampoline in progress

Family picture

Kate went to the dollar store and picked out a gift for Harvey, this smart girl talked me into getting him 2 firemen hats. 

He is so small that his Santa hat doesn't even fit him

His size in comparison to a Christmas stocking. Not his Christmas stocking, I'm working on his stocking and Kate's still. 

Harvey's baby pictures

Harvey was just 12 days old when we had these pictures taken. We had the wonderful Caralee Case take them who is from Idaho Falls. She took Kate's newborn pictures and I have always cherished those, so I knew I had to splurge again and get some done professionally of Harvey. I love the way they turned out. You would never guess that it took 3 hours to get these pictures because Harvey was upset for the first time in his life. Caralee was so patient and captured the beaut of my newborn that I will cherish forever. I love looking at all his sweet little features. I can't decide on a favorite!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we found ourselves with a lot to be thankful for. Months ago we originally thought it would be a quiet holiday at home waiting for the arrival of Harvey, but his early entrance changed that. My Mom is a doll and always drops everything when I need her. She spent a week with us after  Harvey came. It was nice to have my favorite comfort food when she was here, and her company, some times a girl just needs her Mom! She also graciously offered to cook Thanksgiving dinner for us and we kept inviting others to attend. We were happy when my Brother JB and his wife Mary and their kids came up, as well as all of the Prestons. It was a packed house, but it was a lot of fun! Kate ran around with her cousins and had a ball. Harvey enjoyed all the cuddles and loves he got from aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins he met. 

Cheri and Harvey

Mary, Ben and Harvey

John and Harvey

Max and Harvey

JB and Harvey

Sam, Taylor and Harvey

Tom and Harvey 

cousins

JB carving the Turkey, Max was learning how

We got a bunch of snow on Thanksgiving and Kate loved to "help"

Kate reading with cousins

Kate sneaking in to watch a movie with her cousins

We loved having family in our home, and Kate loved it even more. When JB's clan drove off Kate cried and cried and cried. She sure does love her cousins.